‘’You’ve got to be 10 years consecutively part of a top squad, you’ve got to play 250 first grade games, you can’t have left during your contract, (you) can’t have gone overseas,’’ Read said.

‘’They take into account your off-field integrity issues, they take into account your standing in the game, whether you’re an Origin player or a Test player, seniority and whether the player’s contributed to the game outside what they do with their clubs.’’

Tick. Tick. Tick.

While State of Origin is an impossible dream hindered by their heritage, the New Zealand pair have notched up 77 Tests between them in their long-dated, one-club careers.

The NRL has the potential to parade two of the game’s most-loved characters in front of what could be a packed out Mt Smart Stadium, giving Kiwi fans the chance to recognise two of the country’s finest products.

Johnathan Thurston and Cameron Smith were the first men ever to do battle in the new initiative, applauded on Queensland soil at a drenched Suncorp Stadium in the 2018 pre-season.

It was rumoured the Maroons pair went home with their pockets overflowing with cash, however Read cleared up the air about the rumours that had clubs like Manly, who have faced serious salary cap issues, concerned.

“The NRL’s saying they’ll get $200,000 each. I think the story said $1.5 million? The NRL’s saying they’ll basically get $400,000 between them,’’ he said.

Although they are nearing retirement and may not have another year left in the tank, Melbourne fullback Billy Slater and Broncos prop Sam Thaiday qualify for the next all-Queensland testimonial, while Matt Scott – who is currently on 238 first grade games – will be eligible by the end of the season, barring injury.

Thaiday has confirmed he will retire at season’s end and it has been widely speculated Slater will follow in his footsteps.

Potentially eligible, Cronulla skipper Paul Gallen is in a similar retirement situation to his Maroons rivals, although his controversial ASADA drug ban may rule him out.

There have been loud calls for Rabbitohs leader John Sutton – the historic club’s most capped player – to be rewarded for his time in the game, however his stature at representative level doesn’t meet the NRL’s criteria.

Same goes for Roosters favourite Mitchell Aubusson, who like Sutton, has no Tests or Origins to his name.